Thanking President Biden

Dear Mr. Sullivan, 

I began this week by thanking President Biden for his remarkable career of service, and for all he has helped us accomplish in Memphis and TN-9. I also questioned the Directors of both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Prisons, met with some of our partners who helped secure the historic I-55 Bridge investment, announced a new $11.4 million grant for disaster relief in Memphis, and more.

Read on for more information, and have a great weekend. 

Thanking President Biden

On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced his decision to bow out of the Presidential race. I supported President Biden in his 2020 presidential bid, and I’ve supported him ever since. He delivered on his promises, ushered our nation through a terrible pandemic, and defeated an incumbent President who flouted our laws. His presidency has been the most impactful since Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society, with landmark legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the CHIPS and Science Act, the PACT Act for veterans, the American Rescue Plan and more, and he made the United States a leader again on the world stage.

President Biden always chose qualified individuals of impeccable character to serve our nation, and he helped make history with the first minority and female Vice President, the first Black female Supreme Court Justice, the first Black Secretary of Defense, and the first Black female United Nations Ambassador from the U.S., as well as making a huge impact via judicial appointments. President Biden has been one of our finest presidents, and we have been lucky to have him move us forward and protect our democracy. Click here to read my full statement.

Celebrating the Historic I-55 Bridge Victory

After working to bring the largest infrastructure investment in Tennessee history home to Memphis — $393+ million to fully replace the I-55 bridge — I was pleased to welcome several of our partners to my office in Washington, DC to celebrate the historic victory. On Wednesday, I met with Ted Townsend (President & CEO), Bobby White (Chief Public Policy Officer) and their team from the Greater Memphis Chamber, Michael Fulton from the Memphis/Shelby County Airport Authority, Bill Dunavant of Dunavant Enterprises, and others who helped bring this IIJA funding home. This was a highly sought-after grant award, we had to compete against cities nationwide to earn it, and I was proud to lead the effort alongside our great partners.

I was glad to receive their thanks again this week for making the goal of a new I-55 bridge into a reality and was ready to talk about all the other high-profile projects we have on the horizon now that this one is in the “win” column. We’re not slowing down in Memphis! 

New Federal Disaster Relief for Memphis 

On Monday, I announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $11.4 million to Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW). The new funding will support the repair and restoration of the city’s electrical power distribution facilities that were damaged by a severe band of storms that hit Memphis in late June of 2023. Click here to read more.

I encouraged Governor Lee to seek the Federal Disaster Declaration from President Biden that made this funding possible, and I’m pleased to see that effort continuing to pay off for Memphis and TN-9. This disaster relief represents 75% of the total project cost and will ensure that thousands of people and families in our district have a reliable power supply. It will also bolster our infrastructure so that we’re better prepared for future emergencies and disruptions.

Securing TN-9 Priorities in This Year’s WRDA Bill 

On Monday night, I voted to pass the 2025 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes essential environmental and infrastructure projects nationwide led by the Army Corps of Engineers. This year’s WRDA bill includes several important provisions that I secured for Memphis and TN-9, like the dredging of Pidgeon Harbor and the Hatchie-Loosahatchie Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. These initiatives are vital for boosting our local economy, protecting our natural habitats and enhancing quality of life in our communities. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was proud to help craft the bill and ensure they were included.

The 2025 WRDA bill passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 359-13, and the Senate shouldn’t waste any time in following our lead. Click here to read more.

Questioning the Director of the FBI 

On Wednesday, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), I received assurances from FBI Director Chris Wray that the Bureau will maintain its presence in Memphis while expanding operations in Tennessee with a new state headquarters in Nashville. In fact, Director Wray stated that the new FBI state headquarters will give the FBI the ability to place even more investigative agents where they’re needed in Memphis. Tackling crime is a top priority of mine, and the FBI's continued commitment to Memphis is crucial for our city's safety and progress. Click here to watch my questioning of FBI Director Wray.

Honoring the Late Sheila Jackson Lee & Questioning the Federal Bureau of Prisons Director

On Tuesday, my colleagues and I on the House Judiciary Crime Subcommittee met for a hearing on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). I began the hearing by paying tribute to the work of the late Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away last Friday. Congresswoman Lee was the Representative for the 18th district of Texas and was the first female and first African American Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Crime Subcommittee. It was an honor to sit next to her and to work with her on the Judiciary Committee for many years. Watch my full remarks below.

Later in the hearing, I emphasized to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters the importance of supporting incarcerated individuals' reentry into society. We discussed providing transportation assistance and access to government-issued IDs, as well as expanding compassionate release programs. Ensuring these individuals have the support they need is critical to reducing recidivism and promoting public safety, and that’s one of my top priorities. Click here to watch my full questioning.

Honored by Ford for My Support of Blue Oval City

This week, I was honored by Ford as a Tennessee Champion for my work in supporting Blue Oval City, the new electric vehicle battery manufacturing endeavor just outside of Memphis. Blue Oval City is a $5.6 billion investment that is expected to create more than 6,000 new jobs, and it represents a key piece of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

I have strongly supported President Biden's Investing in America agenda, and today I’m the only Member of the Tennessee delegation who voted in favor of key pieces of it like the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Blue Oval City was made possible in part by a favorable loan from the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO), which has disbursed nearly $33 billion over the past 14 years. LPO activity has been surging since passage of the IRA, making big-time projects like Blue Oval City possible, and I’m proud to support these key investments in our future.

Protecting Passengers and Holding Airlines Accountable Following Global Technology Outage

The global CrowdStrike outage last week severely impacted various industries, including aviation. On Thursday, I led a letter with Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-1) and 19 colleagues to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, expressing our deep concerns over Delta’s handling of the disruptions. Delta canceled more than 5,500 flights and delayed thousands more, far exceeding the disruptions other airlines experienced. Hundreds of families and travelers, including unaccompanied minors, were left stranded at airports nationwide. That level of operational failure is unacceptable, and the traveling public expects and deserves better. Click here to read our full letter.

In addition to this letter, I also introduced the Ensuring Airline Resiliency to Reduce Delays and Cancellations Act with Congressman Larsen. This bill requires airlines to develop robust operational resiliency plans to ensure they are prepared for future flight disruptions. Our goal is to protect passengers and ensure that airlines have comprehensive strategies to prevent and limit future disruptions. As the top Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, I’m committed to advancing this critical legislation.

Calling on Russia to Free Alsu Kurmasheva

On Wednesday, I commented on Russia’s recent conviction of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva — another sham trial in a Russian court. Russia’s conviction of Alsu Kurmasheva to 6.5 years in prison is a travesty, but it’s not surprising given the Putin regime’s repeated behavior. The Russian judiciary does not exist as a check on executive authority but as a part of Putin’s repression machine, and Alsu has become yet another one of its victims.

Alsu Kurmasheva — an American, a mother of two young children, and a professional journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) — has committed no crime. Russia should let her go now, and the U.S. Department of State should use every instrument in its toolbox, including designating her wrongfully detained, to bring her home. Click here to read my full statement.

UV Awareness Month: Tips for Avoiding Harmful UV Rays

We still have a lot of hot days ahead this summer, and July is Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month. Here are a few tips from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on how to stay safe from those harmful UV rays.

• Wear sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. 
• Seek shade: Limit your direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are strongest.
• Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses can help protect your skin and eyes from UV damage. 
• Check the UV index: Be aware of the daily UV index in your area to better plan outdoor activities.
• Click here to learn more about UV safety and avoiding skin cancer from the HHS 

Quote of the Week

“[...] Before I was elected Vice President, before I was elected a United States Senator, I was elected Attorney General of the State of California. And I was a courtroom prosecutor before then.

And in those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds — predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So, hear me when I say: I know Donald Trump’s type.” — Vice President Kamala Harris in her Tuesday address from West Allis, Wisconsin

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

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